A pitch conducive for batting has been prepared for the fourth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand which will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.
The five-match series is currently level at 1-1 and the winner in today’s match will have a good chance of clinching the trophy.
“Yes, it will be a good batting surface. We have worked extremely hard for the last few days and I think 180 plus score can be made on the surface,” a source in the ground staff told The News.
The source said as the weather has turned a bit hot suddenly so the track will get dry and it will help the batters to entertain the fans.
Pakistan had a great start in the last game while the lower order also chipped in with valuable contributions, with Irfan Khan making 30 and Shadab Khan adding 41 runs. The all-rounders' late surge elevated Pakistan's total to a competitive level of 178/4.
During the chase, Mark Chapman excelled with the bat for New Zealand, crafting an impressive unbeaten innings of 87 runs from 42 balls, embellished with nine fours and four sixes.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was among the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, recording figures of 2 for 25 in his four overs. He was brought into the attack late in the innings and proved to be the most effective bowler.
The Black Caps will look to continue their winning momentum and take the lead in the series.
Meanwhile, the hosts are also dealing with fitness problems with Mohammad Rizwan and Irfan Khan not available for the final two T20Is.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Tim Robinson, Dean Foxcroft, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell (c), James Neesham, William O’Rourke, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Ben Lister, Jacob Duffy
The series is being broadcast live on Pakistan’s first sports channel Geo Super.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule
April 18 — 1st T20I - No result
April 20 — 2nd T20I - Pakistan won
April 21 — 3rd T20I - New Zealand won
April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore
April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore
